Cirque Performer Dies of Injuries

A sad day today for our Cirque family. This is the first time a Cirque artist has died while rehearsing/performing their discipline. Here in Macau at the ZAIA show it’s very quiet today. Artists are thinking of the family and their pain, as I’m sure artists in other Cirque shows worldwide are also doing today.

The Canadian Press
Date: Saturday Oct. 17, 2009 8:18 PM ET

MONTREAL — A Cirque du Soleil performer, who fell off a trampoline during a training session Friday, has died of his injuries. The company said Oleksandr Zhurov (Sacha) died in a Montreal hospital Saturday.

The 24-year-old Ukrainian performer was doing general training exercises for the world-famous circus when the incident happened.

Cirque founder Guy Laliberte said he was deeply saddened by the death of the artist.

“Today, it is all of Cirque that is in mourning,” Laliberte said.

“Sacha was part of the extended Cirque family for the few months he was among us. An incident like this reminds us of the courage and determination displayed by our artists each and every day.”

An investigation on the circumstances of the accident is underway. Cirque said it will co-operate fully with the investigation.

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